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FORAGING; In Portugal, A Street in Porto Finds Its Groove

By SETH SHERWOOD

Published: April 1, 2012

IN recent years, discount clothing shops and dingy dining spots have pretty much been the extent of consumer options on Rua do Ros?o, in Porto. But with the emergence of nearby Rua Miguel Bombarda as the premier art-gallery strip in Portugal's second-largest city, the Rua do Ros?o is benefiting from a spillover effect. As faded town houses fill with upstart designers and upscale food shops, Rua do Retail might be a more fitting moniker these days. SETH SHERWOOD

PHOTOS: Punch Couture: Rua do Rosário 253 (351-22) 494-6288 The Portuguese designer Mariana da Fonseca opened her own shop last year to showcase her multihued and ethno-chic threads for women, like a miniskirt with wild paisley-floral swirls (29 euros) that recalls traditional Portuguese scarves.; André Gandra Ateliê de Design: Rua do Rosário 284 (351-22) 208-0933 Mr. Gandra sells his sober striped ties, best suited for the boardroom (20 euros), and sparkly fuchsia ties, perhaps for the nightclub (20 euros).; Muuda: Rua do Rosário 294 (351-22) 201-1833 www.muuda.com Opened in 2006, this vaulted, stone-walled concept store initiated the street's revival with its stylish mix of Portuguese creations, including shoulder bags with laminated vintage Portuguese advertisements (44 euros, $57 at $1.30 to the euro).; Artes em Partes: Rua do Rosário 274 (351-93) 433-7703 artesempartes.net Several small shops share the ground floor of this 1920s town house. Sinewy bracelets by ZOIA (130 euros) are on offer at Bling Bling; Muzak stocks vintage LPs (many at 8 euros). (PHOTOGRAPHS BY JOÃO PEDRO MARNOTO FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES)
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